Game.



W. L. VANCE.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, Ian.

1 ,296,882. Patented Mar. 11,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I- NW I i Ill Zhuezzfar hflm m L. @ca

@ Mag W. L. VANCE.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. 1911.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WILLIAM L. vnncn, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS;

GAME.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that 1, WILLIAM L. VANcE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Games, of which the following is a description.

'My invention belongs to that general class .of miniature games designed to imitate as near as may be on a limited scale the general plan of some popular game, and in the present instance to so imitate the game of baseball. It is particularly designed to make possible that desirable combination of skill in the player and accident or chance present in all popular games, which holds the interest and adds fascination to the game. To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like. or corresponding parts,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the field;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. .2

Fig. 4 is a similar View; on line 44 of Fig. 2, and V Fig. 5 represents a player, for example one of the outfielders.

-As shown in the drawings, the field or board is preferably sectional for conven ience in handling, comprising sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, suitably connected together by detachable means as 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, or equivalent members. The field in general represents a base ball diamond, preferably inclosed except at the plate, and catchers station with a raised inclosing wall 13 to practically limit the movement of the ball to the field, and for other reasons here after mentioned. Within the part 1 a die. mond is laid out with bases 14, and run ning lines 15 thereon, 16 is the plate. The diamond is inclosed by a raised wall or obstruction 17 with three or more openings therethrough, communicating with the out field, as at 18, 19 and- 20. These openings are of suflicient size to permit the ball to pass readily therethrough without touching the sides. The width of the openings, in one respect, determine the difficulties of the game.

On or near the three distant sides of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 28, 1917.

Patented Mar. 11, 1919.

Serial No. 171,451.

outfield inclosure 13 are positioned preferably rectangular traps 21, provided with flaps 22, orequivalent parts, permitting the ball upon striking the flaps to pass into'the strap, and tending to retain it therein. On

or near the two side inclosures 13 adjacent to the plate, are preferably triangular traps 2-3, as shown, with similar flaps or equivalent parts 24.

The triangular stations from 25 to 33 inelusive form obstructions, and indicate the suggested positions of the players in the field. These may be adjustable as to position, if desired, and are constructed to support in an upright position figures of the players as 34. The players may be represented in different attitudes. i r

The manner of delivery of the ball to the batter is of importance to create and maintain interest in the game. In the preferred means shown in the drawings, a concave trough 35 is supported in an inclined position, as indicated by any preferred means. As shown a wire support 86' supports the rear of the trough, while a support 37 supports the forward end preferably at a point near the pitchers station. 'Any preferred means may be employed to retain the trough against end movement. 7 As shown anextension 38 on the support 36 extends through an opening in the trough for this purpose. It will be noted that the supports for the trough are so positioned as not to interfere with the movement of the ball, 39 is a small manually operated bat of any preferred form or size.

,Practical operation proves that by a slight manipulation of the ball at the instant of delivery, the ball may be caused to incurve oroutcurve, may be slow or fast, and may possibly cause other movements battling to the batter.

Suitable small disks may represent the runners and their position on the bases.

Rules for playing the game and securing great enjoyment from it will occur to anyout.

causes two foremost runners to be out,'in-

cluding batter as a runner.

Rule 4: When only one runner Is on either 2nd or 3rd base, the above rule (Rule 3) does not apply, and

only batter is called 'without striking a player is called a twobase hit; batter advances two'bases; 7

RuleS A'balldriven'into anyone of the three rectangular catches is called a threebase hit; batter advances three'bas'es;

Rule @9: A ball driven into the triangular catchesis a home run;

Rule '10: Runs are made by runners advancing the same as the batter;

, Rule 11: With the exception of Rule 6 balls must'be counted for whatever they directly strike;

Rule 12 A ball driven outside entire field is void.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modificatio'ns may be made in the same without departing from the spirit vof my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood ZlSillIIlitingmyself to the exact form, construction,

arrangement and combination of parts vherein shown and describechand uses mentioned.

VV'hat I claim as newan'd desireto secure by jLetters'Patent is a 1, 'In a game of the character described, a field provided with a wall substantially inclosing-the same, 'asecond wallpartially dividing the infield from the outfield, said second wall'having an opening for the-passage of a ball from the infield'to the outfield in combination with a guiding trough arranged to direct a ball toward the plateand deliver the same in the field at a point near the Copies-of this patent may be obtained for pitchers station, said trough being provided with an opening, and means for supporting the trough above the field, said means comprising a substantially U-shaped frame mounted at opposite sides'upon said second wall at the sides of the opening therein, said frame having a portion at the top "upon which the trough is adapted to rest, and also having a portion extending through the opening in the trough and serving to prevent endwise movement of the same, substantially as described.

2. In a game of the characterdescribed, a field provided with a wallsubstantial ly inclosing the'same, a second wall dividingthe infield from the outfield and providedfwith an opening atsecond base'for' thepassage of a ball from the infield to theoutfield, an ob struction in the infield adjacent thepitChers station, in combination with a guiding trough arranged to direct a ball toward the plate and deliver the same in the field at a point near the pitchers-station, saidtrough having an opening near one endthereofi-and means for supporting the trough at an inclination above the fieldfsaid means comprising a 'frame extending upwardly from said obstruction and upon which'one end of the trough is adapted to rest, andaflsubthe opening therein, said last mentioned framehavin'g portions at its topatopposite 7 sides upon which the other end'of the trough is adapted to rest, and an intermediatepor- 'tion engaging the opening in the trough to prevent lengthwise movement of'thetrough, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof 'I have hereunto signed my'name in the presence ofztwo subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM L. VANCE. Witnesses:

ROY W. HILL, 'OHARLES :1. Q0313.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner-of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

